ell in with Eban Cowan.

"So I see you have got that dolt David Treloar as your mate," observed
Eban. "If you had asked me, I would have advised you to take a chap
worth two of him. He is big and strong enough, but he has no sense. I
wonder, indeed, Michael, that you can go on year after year content to
catch a few fish and lobsters, when you might make no end of money and
live at home most days in the week enjoying your comfort and doing
nothing. Just see how father and I live. You don't suppose the mill,
and the fish, and our few acres of ground enable us to do that."

"I don't ask how you get your living--I do not wish to interfere with my
neighbours; but I know that it is my duty to work hard every day that
the weather will let me," answered Michael.

"That may be your taste; but I wonder you like to see Nelly wearing her
old frock and hood which have become far too small for her, and Aunt
Lanreath's old jacket and petticoat are well-nigh worn out."

Michael acknowledged that such was the case, and observed that he hoped
they would soon get new garments.

"You might get them at once if you will join us in our business,"
answered Eban. "What with the fellows who have gone to sea, and some
few who have been taken and sent to prison, and those who have been
drowned or lost their lives in other ways, we have not as many men as we
want. There is good pay to be got, and other profits besides. You
would be perfectly safe, for you have a good character, and no one would
suspect you of being engaged in the free-trade service."

"I tell you, Eban, once for all, I will have nothing to do with
smuggling," answered Michael, firmly. "You say no one will suspect me,
but you forget that God sees and hears everything we do, or say, or
think. Though my fellow-men might not suspect me, He would know that I
was engaged in unlawful work. Darkness is no darkness to Him. Day and
night to Him are both alike."

"I don't let myself think about those sort of things," answered Eban
Cowan, in an angry tone. "I ask you again, will you be a sensible
fellow and unite with us as I have invited you?"

"No, I will not," said Michael. "I do not wish to be unfriendly with
you, but when you ask me to do what I know to be wrong I cannot look
upon you as a friend."

"Take your own way, then," exclaimed Eban, angrily. "You may think
better of the matter by-and-by: then all you have to do is to come to me
and say so."

Eban and Mi